Baltimore Solidarity Protest Planned In Providence

A protest is expected in Providence Saturday to show support for Baltimore residents, who have been calling for justice in the death of 25-year-old...

by Elisabeth Harrison

A protest is expected in Providence Saturday to show support for Baltimore residents, who have been calling for justice in the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, a black man who died from injuries sustained in police custody.

Baltimore officials announced Friday that six police officers will face charges.

In Providence, rally organizer Marco McWilliams say he shares concerns raised in Baltimore about the relationship between police and minority residents.

"Every black man doesn’t have the overt, direct experience of being brutalized on the scale that we see with Freddie Gray," McWilliams said. "But every black man looks at that and realizes, oh man, that could have been me."

McWilliams says he expects a peaceful demonstration in Providence, and organizers have been communicating with police to plan the rally.

More than 700 people have joined a Facebook page saying they plan to attend, but McWilliams cautions he cannot be certain how many will actually participate.

The demonstration is scheduled to begin with a march at 4 p.m. at Classical High School and wrap up with a rally and speaking program at 6 p.m.